Detectives have released harrowing CCTV footage which shows a woman being murdered by her jealous ex-boyfriend who was jailed for life today.

Genu Armeanu, 45, of Coleridge Avenue, Manor Park, laid in wait for Elisabeta Lacatusu as she returned from her job in Upton Park before confronting her near her home in Seven Kings.

The footage shows him hiding in front of a car before confronting her and pulling out a knife which he uses to stab the defenceless grandmother 19 times.

He claims he carried out the jealousy-fuelled frenzied attack ‘for love’.

Today he was convicted of her murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years.

Genu Armeanu. Photo: Met Police

Jurors heard Elisabeta and Armeanu had known each other since childhood, as they had both grown up in the city of Vaslui in Romania.

They were believed to have been in a relationship since late summer 2017 but Elisabeta ended it at the request of her family.

After the relationship ended the court heard claims Armeanu was “very persistent” and Elisabeta showed her family text messages in which he first threatened to kill himself and then kill her.

The compelling CCTV clip shows Armeanu walking up and down Norfolk Road where Elisabeta lived, while repeatedly attempting to call her before he attacked her 20 minutes later at 7pm.

Elisabeta Lacatusu was stabbed 19 times. Photo: Met Police

Jocelyn Ledward QC, prosecuting, said: “Quite suddenly, and without any apparent warning or escalation going on between them, the defendant pulled a knife from his right-hand jacket pocket and immediately stabbed Elisabeta in the torso.

“She struggled to get him off and to get away.

“But using her left arm hooked around the back of her head and neck, he held her close and stabbed her repeatedly to the chest and neck area.

“At one point she stumbled clasping her neck.”

The knife recovered at the scene of the murder of Elisabeta Lacatusu. Photo: Met Police.

Armeanu confessed to killing Elisabeta in a police interview.

He said: “I know what I did. I did it for love.”

“I found out she had been with somebody else.

“That is why I killed her.”

Elisabeta Lacatusu was stabbed 19 times. Photo: Met Police

Despite the CCTV footage and blood stains on Armeanu’s shoes matching Elisabeta’s DNA he had denied her murder.

Judge Munro handed Armeanu a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years and 199 days in prison.

“Yours actions caused the needless and tragic death of a beloved mother, mother-in-law and grandmother,” she said.

“Her family will suffer her loss forever and the impact of your actions is immeasurable.”